NGP: New machine will ‘be affordable’

We know that the NExt Generation Portable will be launched in "late 2011", but how much will it cost? For now, Sony’s not saying, though the company has pledged that the machine will be "affordable".

"I can’t put a ballpark on it in terms of figures, but what I would say is that we will shoot for an affordable price that’s appropriate for the handheld gaming space," SCEE head Andrew House told Eurogamer.

How this translates to the real world remains to be seen.

The original PSP cost 180 way back in 2005. In the same year the DS launched at 100. The 3DS will arrive in March for 220.

Stepping up the pay ladder, you can grab an iPhone for about 180 if you commit to a two-year contract. An iPad costs in the region of 500-600.